1   Not long after this, Lysias the kinges stewarde and a kinsman of his, which had the gouernaunce of his matters, toke sore displeasure for the thinges that had happened,

2   And when he had gathered fourescore thousand men of foote, with al the hoast of the horsemen, he came against the Iewes, thinking to winne the citie, to make it an habitation for the heathen:

3    ^noteAnd the temple woulde he haue to be an house of lucre, like as the other gods houses of the heathen are, and to sell the priestes office euery yere,

4   Not considering the power of God, but was wilde in his mynde, ^note trusting in the multitude of footemen, in thousandes of horsemen, ∧ in his fourescore Elephantes.

5   So he came into Iurie, and then to Bethsura, a castle of defence, lying in a narow place fiue furlonges from Hierusalem, ∧ layed sore siege vnto it.

6   Nowe when Machabeus and his company knew that the strong holdes were besieged, ^note they fell to their prayers with weeping and teares before the Lorde: and all the people in lyke maner besought him that he woulde send a good angel to deliuer Israel. B   

7   Machabeus him selfe was the first that made him redy to the battayle, exhorting the other that were with hym to ieoperde them selues, and to helpe their brethren.

8   And when they were goyng foorth of Hierusalem together with a redy and willing mynde, ^note there appeared before them vpon horsbacke a man in whyte clothing, with harnesse of gold, shaking his speare.

9   Then they praysed the Lorde all together whiche had shewed them mercie, and were comforted in their mindes, insomuch that they were redy not onely to fight with men, but with the most cruel beastes, yea ∧ run thorowe walles of iron.

10   Thus they went on willingly, hauing an helper from heauen, and the Lorde mercifull vnto them.

11   They fell mightyly vpon their enemies like lions, slue eleuen thousande footemen, sixeteene hundred horsemen, and put all the other to flight,

12   Many of them beyng wounded, and some gat away naked: Yea Lysias him selfe was fayne to flee shamefully, aud so to escape.

13   Neuerthelesse, that man was not without vnderstanding, but considered by him selfe that his power was minished, and pondred howe the Iewes beyng defended by the helpe of almightie God, were not able to be ouercome: wherfore he sent them worde, C   

14   And promised, that he would consent to all thinges whiche were reasonable, and to make the king their friende.

15   To the which praier of Lysias, Machabeus agreed, seking in all thinges the common wealth: ∧ whatsoeuer Machabeus wrote vnto Lysias concerning the Iewes, the king graunted it.

16   For there were letters written vnto the Iewes from Lysias, conteyning these wordes: Lysias sendeth greeting to the people of the Iewes.

17   Iohn and ^note Absolon which were sent from you, deliuered me wrytinges, and required me to fulfill the thinges concerning their errande.

18   Therefore loke what might be graunted, I certified the king therof: ∧ whatsoeuer was conueni&ebar;t, he agreed therto.

19   If ye now wil be faythful in these matters, I shall endeuour my selfe hereafter also to do you good.

20   As concerning these thinges by euery article thereof, I haue committed them to your messengers and to those whom I sent vnto you, to commune with you of the same particulerly. D   

21   Fare ye well. In the hundred fourtie and eyght yere, the twentie ∧ fourth day of the moneth Dioscorinthius.

22   Now the kinges letter conteyned these wordes: King Antiochus sendeth greeting vnto his brother Lysias.

23   Forsomuch as our father ^note is now translated vnto the gods, our will is, that they which are in our realme, liue without any insurrection, and euery man to be diligent in his owne matters:

24   We vnderstande also, that the Iewes would not consent to our father, for to be brought vnto the custome of the gentiles, but stifly to kepe their owne statutes, for the which cause they require of vs also, to let them remayne still after their owne lawes.

25   Wherfore our minde is, that this people shalbe in rest: we haue concluded and determined also to restore them their temple againe, that they may lyue according to the vse and custome of their forefathers.

26   Thou shalt do vs a pleasure therefore, if thou send vnto them, and graunt them peace: that when they are certified of our mynde, they may be of good cheare, and loke to their owne wealth.

27   And this was the letter that the king wrote vnto the Iewes: King Antiochus sendeth greeting vnto the counsell, and the other people of the Iewes. D   

28   If ye fare well, we haue our desire: as for vs, we are in good health.

29   Menelaus came ∧ tolde vs, howe that your desire was to returne home, and peaceably to enioy your owne possessi&obar;s.

30   Wherfore, those that wil come, we geue them free libertie, vnto the thirtie day of the moneth of ^note Aprill,

31   That they may vse the meates of the Iewes and their owne lawes like as afore: and none of them by any maner of wayes to haue harme for thinges done in ignoraunce.

32   I haue sent also Menelaus, that he may comfort you.

33   Fare ye well. In the hundred fourtie and eyght yere, the fyfteenth day of the moneth of Aprill.

34   The Romaynes also sent a letter, conteyning these wordes: Quintus Memmius, ∧ Titus Manilius ambassadours of the Romaynes, sende greeting vnto the people of the Iewes.

35   Loke what Lysias the kinges kinsman hath graunted you, we graunt you the same also. E   

36   But as concerning the thinges which he referred vnto the king, send hither some with speede, and ponder the matter diligently among your selues, that we may ^note cast the best to your profite, for we must depart nowe vnto Antioche.

37   And therefore write shortly againe, that we may knowe your mynde.

38   Fare well. In the hundreth fourtie and eyght yere, the fyfteenth day of the moneth of Aprill.

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